ARIES (Automotive Repair Industry Environmental Standard), was introduced during the summer of 2025 to help transition repairers from the current PAS2060 standard – which retires at the end of this year. The new standard has been designed to move the industry to align with the SBTi framework and other International Standards. Set up by the industry, for the industry, ARIES offers support to Repairers to help them meet sustainability targets and reduce carbon emissions in a simple, standardised and transparent way.

The industry needs to demonstrate commitment and respond to increasing regulatory pressures, commercial expectations and consumer demand for Carbon Reduction. Key benefits for Repairers to consider include;

· Environmental Sustainability – setting measurable goals to work towards Net Zero targets, aligning with Insurer and Vehicle Manufacturer plans, via a documented carbon reduction strategy

· Profitability – reduced operating costs through sustainable practices, improving their financial resilience and long-term viability

· Future Investment – insurer paid contribution (subject to approval) to invest in long term environmental and workforce sustainability helping to future proof bodyshops

· Credibility & Compliance – demonstrate Leadership in sustainability and consumer confidence through best practise

· Reputation & Trust – improving brand awareness, reputation, customer experience and opportunity

Since its inception an encouraging estimate of 51%* of Repairers have signed up to the ARIES Standard. Whilst there is no mandate, Repairers are encouraged to register and participate.

The ARIES Framework Guidance is that any Repairers who have not committed to ARIES should register via the Portal and upload their Declaration of Commitment by 1st January 2026.

Those Repairers who have already registered and submitted their Declaration of Commitment, are now required to measure their baseline emissions and produce a Carbon Reduction Management Plan (CRMP), which must be verified. These activities must be completed 120 days after the 1st January.

Insurers supporting the ARIES standard are transitioning from PAS 2060, as no repairer will be able to complete the PAS process to an accepted verified outcome beyond 2025. Payments are therefore expected to cease for any repairer not transitioning to the ARIES standard.

The process is straightforward as outlined below:

Step1 – Register on the platform and upload your signed Declaration of Commitment by 31st December 2025. Only registered repairers can claim the ARIES fee.

Step 2 – There are 2 options; 1) Self submission – complete CRMP, 2) Expert submission – appoint an auditor to create and verify a CRMP. Self-submission requires External Verification from the recommended Supplier List on the ARIES Portal. Only those with verified CRMPs will be able to continue to receive ARIES fees.

Step 3 – Annual measurement of Carbon Reduction against agreed targets and submission of Declaration of Achievement.

The ARIES Governance Group states “We are now almost one year on from the inception of the ARIES Framework which was created to ensure the industry has a clear and consistent approach to carbon reduction, at a time when regulatory pressure, commercial expectations and consumer awareness are all increasing. While initial commitment has been strong, we are encouraging all repairers to act now and avoid being left behind. Please register if you haven’t and for those registered already the job is not yet done – we encourage you to move to the second step by uploading your CRMP as soon as possible”.

The Repair Industry has a shared responsibility to demonstrate leadership, accountability and genuine progress in carbon reduction. ARIES provides an industry-wide standard to deliver this. It is supported by Insurers, guided by collaborative governance, and shaped by insights from Repairers.

There will be a online meeting, open to everyone in November where the ARIES team will be sharing an Introduction to ARIES and walking through the steps above. There will be a Q&A at the end. For more information, please visit the ARIES Hub by clicking here.

*calculation based on industry analysis, projecting around 1,600 repairer sites expected to undertake the ARIES commitment, representing those actively operating within the insurance-funded repair sector.